Story by Nyasha Makota
CITIZEN financial security has been identified as crucial for Zimbabwe’s national transition from economic stabilisation to industrialisation, innovation and inclusive growth under the National Development Strategy 2(NDS2).
This assessment was central to discussions at the launch of the book, Seven Golden Rules for Retirement Planning, in Harare Saturday night.
The discussions at the book launch went beyond personal savings. Experts who attended the launch concurred that a workforce confident about its financial future is fundamental for creating the stable, innovative environment required under NDS2.
“What we have to do is create an environment whereby besides having NSSA, we have additional funding that supports retirement for the generality of the population. The onus then is on us. What we like from the current approach by Government is the need to include everyone and that demands everyone is educated on retirement planning,” Retirement expert at Akribos Capital Incorporated Founding Partner, Mr Tawanda Mazorodze said.
“The discussion emphasized that we cannot keep going this direction. Retirement is not at the end, it is at the beginning. It is about how do I pivot, how do I change,I do not want to grow old and have no more energy left,” Gary Thompson and Associate Chief Executive Officer, Mr Gary Thompson added.
Retirement expert and author of the book, Mr Emmanuel Zvada directly linked this personal preparedness to the national strategy.
“We need to prepare for retirement. People believe retirement is for the old age but myself I am not old and managed to pen a book for retirement meaning to say that the time you get employed or even before employment you need to start preparing for retirement. If people get this book and read it will help them People not to wait for support from NSSA, but will also do other projects to assist us as an economy. The best time to prepare for retirement is not when you are old but it is now at a younger age,” he stated.
The core message was clear, as Zimbabwe advances under NDS2, building individual financial security is not a separate goal, but the bedrock for achieving innovation, industrialization and inclusive growth.
